North Texan helping flood victims in home state of Louisiana

A North Texas man, with close ties to Louisiana, is giving back to flood victims in his home state.

Austin Andrews, 22, moved to North Texas from Louisiana to attend college, but decided to stay to be with his girlfriend.

He says he knew he had to help when he saw his community struggling in the recent floods.

Andrews posted a plea on social media, asking North Texans to drop off donations at Parker Square in Flower Mound, Saturday morning. His post was shared thousands of times on Facebook. By 9 A.M. people started showing up, with cars full of relief supplies.

Andrews and an army of volunteers filled three large trucks. Folks we talked to say it’s important for people to come together like this, "We need to do what's right for other people be loving and love everyone and help them out,” said Holly Lauck.

The spirit of giving hit especially close to home for some people. Clair Cagnolatti is from Ascension Parish, where 60% of the homes were destroyed by the flood. She says her entire family lives there, and lost everything. "It's unbelievable when I drove up and saw all these people I immediately got choked up and emotional,” said Cagnolatti,  “Just having these people come and say 'I got you' it means the world, it really does."

Andrews says the caravan will leave Flower Mound around 8 A.M. on Sunday. They will travel to a church near Ascension Parish, which is being used as a distribution center.

Andrews plans to be there for at least ten days.